Grizzlies Announce UNCC and Liberty Signees for 2016

Updated February 17 2016

GASTONIA, NC

Gastonia, NC- The Gastonia Grizzlies are proud to announce the signing of four players from UNCC and three from Liberty. Alex Reynolds and Jackson Mims (UNCC) are returning to the Grizzlies as is Sammy Taormina (Liberty). New players from UNCC include Holden Capps and Derek Fritz, as well as Dylan Allen and Jake Barbee from Liberty.

Grizzlies head coach, Evan Wise, had the following comments: “Continuing a relationship with nearby UNCC was one of the things we looked to do from the beginning. Holden Capps is a left-handed pitcher that finished 10th in NJCAA in strikeouts per game in 2015. Derek Fritz is an offensive catcher that should hit in the middle of our order and really control the running game. Alex Reynolds and Jackson Mims are both high-character guys, tremendous workers and relentless competitors. Mims was one of our leading hitters last summer, splitting time between 3rd base and designated hitter. Reynolds played in 44 games last summer, mostly at 1st base. I can’t wait to have these guys back this summer!”

Regarding the Liberty players, Wise had the following to say: “Dylan Allen is a left-handed hitting, slick-fielding infielder who can play any position on the infield and really handle the bat. Jake Barbee is a catcher who could also see time at 1st or the outfield. Jake was an All-Star in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League last summer where he finished 2nd in the league in batting average. Sammy Taormina has been in the lineup ever since he joined the Grizzlies in late 2014. I know that Sammy has garnered a lot of interest within Major League Baseball and could be a high draft pick come June. We are excited about the energy that Sammy brings to the field and clubhouse every day!”

These seven outstanding athletes, plus many more talented baseball players will call Gastonia home in 2016. Box seat season tickets are sold out for the upcoming season but Grizzlies ticket memberships are on sale now for as low as $49 and include tickets to the biggest games of the season as well as numerous perks throughout the year! For more information, visit www.gastoniagrizzlies.com or call the front office at 704-866-8622.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 19th season in 2015, the CPL features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Further more, the CPL has had over 1,200 alumni drafted and 75 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut thus far; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at CoastalPlain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 109 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball..